"I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all {they} that …" — Ecclesiastes 1:16

Ecclesiastes 1:16 · KJV

“I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all {they} that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. {had...: Heb. had seen much}”

— Ecclesiastes 1:16

Verse 15

{That which is} crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. {that which is wanting: Heb. defect}

Verse 17

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 1 — Context

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all {is} vanity and vexation of spirit.

{That which is} crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. {that which is wanting: Heb. defect}

I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all {they} that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. {had...: Heb. had seen much}

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

For in much wisdom {is} much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 2:9

So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

1 Kings 4:30

And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

1 Kings 10:7

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen {it}: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. {thy...: Heb. thou hast added wisdom and goodness to}

Psalms 4:4

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

2 Chronicles 2:12

Huram said moreover, Blessed {be} the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. {endued...: Heb. knowing prudence and understanding}

1 Kings 3:12-13

Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

2 Chronicles 1:10-12

Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, {that is so} great?

Hebrews 5:14

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, {even} those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {of full age: or, perfect} {use: or, an habit, or, perfection}